Tayeng seeks capital punishment for crimes against children
Dhawan promises toilets, cctv for Capital
ITANAGAR, Mar 8: The International Women’s Day was celebrated across the state on Thursday by women organisations with this year’s theme, ‘Press for Progress’.
At Itanagar, the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) observed the International Women’s Day with special focus on prevention of sexual harassment at work place.
Speaking about the recent rape and murder cases of minors, WRD Parliamentary Secretary, Gum Tayeng said that those who indulge in violence against children should be given capital punishment. She called on the APWWS and other organizations to initiate statewide awareness on violence against women and children.
One of the only three female MLAS in the state assembly recalled how she and two of her friends left home in pursuit of education without telling their families. “Nothing can stop us if we are determined,” she said.
Capital DC, Prince Dhawan said that sexual complain cell of the district administration will meet once every month even if there are no complaints, as he urged everyone to approach the committee if they ever face such a situation.
Speaking about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Dhawan said that there will be functional toilets in all the schools of the Capital Complex for boys and girls as well as community toilets in the district. He asked the APPWS to become partners with administration by keeping social audit.
He further said that CCTVs and street lights will be installed in all vulnerable locations in the capital. He asked the APWWS to help identify the locations. He further called on the women of the district to make use of various government schemes in education as well health.
The DC acknowledged the role of women in Arunachalee society as well as APWWS for working for the women of the state for 38 years now. He also lauded the APWWS for proposing a new gender budget.
SP Sagar Singh Kalsi pointed out the rise in cyber crime. He further said that it was time to speak freely about sexual harassment at work place.
Former Chairperson of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW), Jarjum Ete spoke on the rise in adolescent marriages in the state with substantial increase in number of teenage mothers.
Ete, who is also chairperson of the Sexual Harassment Compliant Cell instituted by the district administration, said that the cell is yet to receive any complain in the last one year. She called on the survivors to come forward as there are laws to protect them.
Speaking on the rising crime in the state, former chairperson of APSCW, Gumri Ringu said that the state was witnessing a new wave of violence against minor children, which was never seen before in the state.
Director of Women and Child Development, Tokem Pertin Loyi informed of various laws for protection for women and children. She informed that the department is working on creation of state resource centre.
APWWS president Dipti Bengia Tadar said that though women have suffered, they have emerged from difficulties to find their space in the society, while APWWS secretary general Kani Nada Maling said that the organization is focused on prevention of sexual harassment at work place.
During the programme, the DC also signed MoU with the Oju Welfare Mission on Women Helpline and one stop centre that seeks to provide toll free 24 hours services to women affected by violence and to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence.
With the signing of the MoU, the District Administration would be the implementing agency of the said two schemes.
Highlights of the programme were short films depicting sexual harassment at work, domestic violence and cyber crimes, by the Capital Complex SP. The SP briefly explained the moral of each of the video that encourages voices to be raised against any kind of atrocities towards women.
Resource person Jumgam Jini Legal Aid Counsel APSLSA spoke on sexual harassment at work places, while Budi Habung member secretary APSLSA gave a brief highlight on free legal aid.
The event was organized at the Don Bosco Youth Centre by the APWWS in collaboration with the Women and Child Development department, Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority and IGSSS, an NGO.
To mark the International Women’s Day, various activities were organised by the district administration today.
Later, an awareness programme was organised at Akashdeep complex in the evening, where the Capital Police, along with the Nagrik Bhaichara Committee showed videos on various topics such as cyber crimes, drug abuse, self defence, domestic violence and sexual harassment at workplace. Earlier in the morning, they also handed out flowers to women riders and drivers to mark the occasion.
More than 250 people participated and especially appreciated the self defense demo exhibited by the Arunachal Pradesh Police.
In the evening, a special screening of a movie on women empowerment especially related to the legal remedies was held at the Convention Hall, Itanagar.
Further, the rank and file of Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee along with office bearers of Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress (APMCC), City Mahila Congress Committee (CMCC), APCC, APYC observed the day at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here.
In her address, APMCC vice president, Yame Tok briefed about the importance of celebrating Women’s Day and suggested to work hard for the cause of women. She also said that she would pursue the NDA led BJP government for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Assembly in particular and the country in general.
APYCC president, Geli Ete recalled the contributions of all women who fought for women’s right.
The BJP Mahila Morcha celebrated the day at the Donyi Polo Mission School for the Hearing & Visual Impaired on Thursday, where In-charge Padmeswari Jamoh called for providing quality education to the girls.
BJP Mahila Morcha president Tayang Bengia also encouraged every girl to make a resolution and find a new approach for women’s empowerment in the state.
Principal H Sharma also stressed on change in mind set related to women and to empower women through education.
The Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic (RGGP), Itanagar joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day. On the occasion, students of RGGP presented skit on the life of martyr Hangpan Dada and how his wife and mother motivated late Dada. The students, faculty members and staffs pledged to call upon friends, colleagues and communities to be gender sensitive.
Principal of the institute, Dr AK Triparthy spoke on how women across the world are getting empowered with each passing year. He informed that in RGGP itself, 56% of the work force is women and commended the role played by them in running the institute.
At Tezu, a plantation drive themed ‘women for environment’ was organised by the women’s cell of Indira Gandhi Government College within the college campus, wherein a large number of women faculty, staff and students took part.
At Bomdila, hundreds of students and teaching faculty took part in a rally organized by the women cell of Government College Bomdila on Thursday to mark the occasion of IWD.
An essay writing competition on women’s right was also organized on the occasion.
Later, the college’s Principal, Sangja Khandu gave away prizes to the winners of the ‘National Competition on Legal Awareness of Women’s Right’ which was earlier organized by the women’s cell in collaboration with the National Commission of Women, New Delhi in October last.
At Anini, the day was celebrated by the Dibang Valley District Women’s Welfare Society (DVWWS) in collaboration with the IMCLS, PHE and Women and Child Development departments.
Various issues and laws related to women were presented by the district DCPU team. Issues and solutions related to the health and hygiene of women were presented by Medical Officer Dr James Lego.
Various women from different walks of life were also felicitated by the DVWWS.
In a presentation, the PHE department highlighted the role of women in attaining the goals of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Deputy Commissioner Tamune Miso administered the oath of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme. Various girl achievers from different fields were also identified to be felicitated under the BBBP scheme.
Members of the DVWWS and students of JNV, Anini also gave a cultural presentation.
At Miao, the Miao unit of the APWWS celebrated the day at Government Secondary School, Namphai-I. The Range Forest Office provided saplings, which were planted in the school premises.
Speaking on the occasion, CO Namrata Bhatt dwelt on the theme ‘Press for Progress’ and about gender disparity, while APWWS Miao unit president Odi Tamut Singpho presented the annual report of the society.
The APWWS felicitated academic achievers of the previous session and also distributed water filters to four interior schools with poor drinking water facilities.
Cultural programmes were also held amongst troupes from various sub-units. A friendly football match was played between Miao and Namphai-I sub-units, which was won by the former in a tie-breaker.
At Yazali, the Mahila Morcha of Lower Subansiri district unit of BJP organised IWD at the Yazali general ground in a befitting manner.
Large numbers of women from various part of the district participated in the celebration.
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Likha Saaya suggested the gathering to take a resolution to give due importance to health and education of women and girls.
He exhorted them to work for the preservation of their language and called on mothers to encourage their children to learn their own language besides Hindi or English.
ZPM Joram Yania suggested that women take active participation in all spheres of life for better development and to boost women empowerment. Attending as resource person, SIRD & PR Deputy Director Likha Kiren Kabak spoke on importance of leadership as well as on contribution of women in society.
Various cultural programmes were displayed, besides football and volleyball competitions among women.
At Seppa, the Women Welfare Organisation of East Kameng celebrated IWD with stone chip women workers at Seppa to honour their work.
They also distributed medicines, food items and held an awareness programme.
